# Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming 0-540 series

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 9 · 406 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA252.md): Piper PA24 · Hazen, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 28, 2026 · N6852P · Destroyed
  > On June 28, 2026, about 1317 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6852P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hazen, North Dakota. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB WPR26FA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA224.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Middlefield, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 20, 2026 · N6403P · Substantial damage
  > On June 20, 2026, about 1535 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6403P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Middlefield, Ohio. The pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB ERA26FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA214.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 26, 2026 · N8656L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > On May 26, 2026, about 1347 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N8656L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Saratoga Springs, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…
- [NTSB WPR26FA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA151.md): Piper PA-32R-301T · Marana, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Apr 9, 2026 · N4190E · Substantial damage
  > On April 08, 2026 at 1710 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N4190E, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Marana, AZ. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB ANC26FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA021.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Boynton Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Mar 23, 2026 · N478AT · Destroyed
  > On March 23, 2026, about 1221 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 Raven I helicopter, N478AT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Boynton Beach, Florida. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The…
- [NTSB WPR26FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA069.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 24, 2025 · N2785Q · Substantial damage
  > On December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was…
- [NTSB CEN25FA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA308.md): Cessna T182T · Augusta, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 7, 2025 · N35370 · Substantial damage
  > On August 7, 2025, at 1037 central daylight time, a Cessna T182T airplane, N35370, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Augusta, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was…
- [NTSB CEN25FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA124.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Danville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Mar 15, 2025 · N331ES · Destroyed
  > On March 15, 2025, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N331ES, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Danville, Virginia. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR25FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA079.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jan 14, 2025 · N6502P
  > On January 14, 2025, about 0622 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6502P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…
- [NTSB WPR24FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA105.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Madras, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 10, 2024 · N3264W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with turbulence and structural icing conditions, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA24WA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA049.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 4, 2023 · N15902
- [NTSB GAA24WA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA033.md): Piper PA-24-250 · San Juan de la Costa, Mexico · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 9, 2023 · N6518P · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR23FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA225.md): Cessna R182 · McCall, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 12, 2023 · N3138C · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly torque and inspect the magneto hardware, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA23FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA266.md): Wonder Michael S Harmon Rocket · Porter, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 11, 2023 · N85TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while initiating a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s high-risk behavior.
- [NTSB ERA23LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA240.md): Cessna R182 · Macon, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 21, 2023 · N182LG · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA23FA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA239.md): Commander 114TC · Palm City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 21, 2023 · N6042E · Destroyed
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent loss of control, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA23FA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA234.md): Piper PA-25-235 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2023 · N430AB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA185.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Sebastian, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 7, 2023 · N44588 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA23FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA070.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Charlotte, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 22, 2022 · N7094J · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate inspections of the forward left control rod end attachment hardware to the stationary swashplate by the pilot and by maintenance personnel, resulting in an eventual loosening and backing out of the hardware and subsequent loss of helicopter…
- [NTSB ANC23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA002.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Cordova, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2022 · N3432W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA264.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Seguin, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 22, 2022 · N8542W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude after being distracted when the engine cowling opened during flight, which led to a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN22FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA298.md): Piper PA-24-250 · St. Jacob, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2022 · N5235P · Destroyed
  > The inadequate maintenance of the airplane fuel system that resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN22FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA208.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Broomfield, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 22, 2022 · N85CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded engine performance. Contributing to the accident was the reduced performance of the engine, the reason for which could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA22FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA223.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Athens, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 11, 2022 · N8007P · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN22FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA131.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Fostoria, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 23, 2022 · N3952W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control in night instrument meteorological conditions during the procedure turn of an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA22WA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA067.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Chame, Panama · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 3, 2022 · N5535J
- [NTSB CEN22FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA031.md): Britten-Norman BN-2A · Beaver Island, MI · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 13, 2021 · N866JA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low to recover.
- [NTSB ANC22FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22FA005.md): Gerald Jones 2+2 · Kodiak, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 7, 2021 · N540AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ERA22LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA043.md): Piper PA-28-236 · Orleans, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2021 · N2186U · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control while maneuvering over water in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ERA21FA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA333.md): Piper PA24 · Wadesboro, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 20, 2021 · N8262P · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing was the pilot’s loss of airplane control, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA163.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Leogane, Haiti · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 2, 2021 · N8694N · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN21FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA263.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Madisonville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 14, 2021 · N3258W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during final approach for landing, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA099.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Monterrey, Mexico · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 29, 2021 · N15349 · Substantial damage
- [NTSB GAA21WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA076.md): Piper PA-31-350 · South Bimini, Bahamas · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Apr 17, 2021 · N827RD · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA21FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA140.md): Cessna R182 · Gainesville, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 26, 2021 · N3652C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to depart into low instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB WPR21FA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA114.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 19, 2021 · N57014 · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 6 exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN20LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA374.md): Piper PA28 · Walker, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2020 · N8957W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impairment from the effects of an undiagnosed brain tumor.
- [NTSB CEN20LA373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA373.md): Piper PA24 · Midland, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2020 · N5939P · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN20LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA370.md): Piper PA24 · Bryan, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2020 · N7469P · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power on takeoff due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB CEN20LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA201.md): Piper PA28 · Carlinville, IL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N8991W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s attempted recovery from a steep descent which inadvertently exceeded the ultimate load factor of the airframe and resulted in a low-level inflight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA20FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA085.md): Piper PA32 · Lake City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 25, 2020 · N55455 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR20FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA063.md): Cessna TR182 · Billings, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 12, 2020 · N736YU · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance due to poor decision making in selecting an unsafe altitude during cruise flight.
- [NTSB CEN20WA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA024.md): Piper PA32 · Kingston, Canada · Accident · 7 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 28, 2019 · N50DK · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC19FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA026.md): Helio H 250 · Seward, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N6314V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision, a loss of control, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA179.md): Cessna TR182 · St. Simons Island, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 2019 · N6123T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control during approach for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN19RA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19RA145.md): Piper PA32 · Roatán, Honduras · Accident · 5 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 18, 2019 · N260TM · Substantial damage
  > import
- [NTSB ERA19FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA112.md): Piper PA25 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 1, 2019 · N145AB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance while maneuvering during a banner tow flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a 19-story building in a heavily congested area. Contributing to the accident were the easterly wind…
- [NTSB WPR19FA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA042.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Aberdeen, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Dec 17, 2018 · N6283P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's diverted attention during the takeoff climb due to a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack and subsequent stall/spin.
- [NTSB CEN19FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA044.md): Piper PA24 · Valparaiso, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 2018 · N6785P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin.
- [NTSB WPR19FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA022.md): Piper PA28 · Guthrie Center, IA · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 9, 2018 · N91770 · Substantial damage
  > Pilot incapacitation due to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of an undetected crack in an engine exhaust muffler, which permitted entry of exhaust gasses into the cabin via the cabin heat system.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?engine=41532&fatal=1&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41532'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41532&fatal=1

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